Jobs in Government & NGO by Company

Jobs within the government sector are often the most sought after jobs. Why? Government jobs usually offer their employees more stability, bigger salaries and their employees can look forward to plenty of holidays. Remember for every job you apply for you are competing with plenty of other job-seekers. Because of this competition, when applying for job vacancies within government departments, make sure your CV is up to scratch.

There are many jobs in government departments in which you can apply for:

Jobs in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. This department focuses on evolving nutrition, safety and farming renovation in the agricultural sector through inventive, comprehensive and ecological procedures and platforms.

Jobs in communications. If you decide this is the sector you would like to work in, you will be part of a department that focuses on shaping and empowering the environment for the establishment of complete communication services to all South Africans in a manner that inspires socio-economic development and investment through broadcasting media, new media, print media and other new technologies, and markets the country locally and internationally.

Jobs in correctional services. If you have a passion for working within the justice system then correctional services may be a good fit for you. Their mission is to contribute to a just, peaceful and safer South Africa through effective and humane incarceration of inmates, rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders.

Jobs in the defence department. To find a job in the defence department you have to be a young, fit, healthy and a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are taken on as a successful candidate of the defence department you are required to serve for a two year period to augment the SANDF’s deployment capability. At the end of your two year contract, the most successful candidates will be channelled into the SA National Defence Force and the remaining candidates will be transferred to the Reserve Force. Only the best of the best will be selected for the continued service in the SA National Defence Force.

Jobs in economic development. The economic development department is a relatively new department that was set up in 2009. It was set up to strengthen government capacity to implement the electoral mandate in particular in relation to the transformation of the economy. The transformation of the economy requires a pro-employment growth path that addresses the structural constraints to absorbing large numbers of people into the economy and the creation of decent work.

Jobs in the department of energy. The department of energy is responsible for ensuring examination, growth, processing, utilisation and management of South Africa's mineral and energy resources. As the country's economy continues to grow, energy is increasingly becoming a key focus.

Jobs in environmental affairs. As South Africa has a rapid increasing population, there is a larger strain on our environment and earth’s resources. The department of environmental affairs aims to radically transform their approach to environmental protection, while also balancing it with socio- economic development. In the environment sector, you will implement related aspects of the priority areas that deal with environmental protection and sustainable development.

Jobs in social development. The department of social development is a caring and integrated system of that facilitates human development and improves the quality of life. Should you decide to work within this sector you will be part of a department that manages and oversees social security, encompassing social assistance and social insurance policies that aim to prevent and alleviate poverty in the event of life cycle risks such as loss of income due to unemployment, disability, old age or death. You will help enable the poor, the vulnerable and the excluded within the South African society to secure a better life for themselves, in partnership with them and with all those who are committed to building a caring society.

Tips to remember when you go for an interview within the government departments:

Due to the high volumes of applications the government sector jobs receives it is important to make sure you stand out from others applying for the same position. The most important aspect of the interview is to make sure that you are well prepared.

Getting the interview for the job gives you the chance to convince and impress your potential new employer that you are the perfect person for the job. You have to assure the interviewer that you understand what the job entails and you have the required skills to execute the job tasks. Remember a job interview goes both ways; it is not just for you to impress the future employer, it is also an opportunity for you to review if you would like to work at the company and if it will suit your personality.

Go prepared and do your research of the department or sector that you are going for an interview. Nowadays it is easy, have a look at their website and make sure you understand the principal focus of their business and their objectives.

Have the correct details; physical address, contact number and directions to the venue of your interview. Leave early and take traffic into consideration. Rather arrive earlier than late. If you are stuck in traffic and see you might run a little late, phone the company and inform them, do not just arrive there late.

Make sure that you know the name of the person that you are meeting with. Ask for them at reception upon your arrival.

We as humans are able to communicate non-verbally as well as verbally and interviewers are trained to pick up on this non-verbal communication. This form of communication is called body language. This messages can be picked up in our posture, handshake, eye contact and hand placements to name but a few. Have a firm handshake, make eye contact when you answer a question, sit up straight and do not fiddle and do take notes. It is normal to be nervous and the interviewer knows that you will be nervous, but speak up, do not mutter.

Dress the part. When you think interview you should automatically think smart. Rather be overdressed than underdressed. This shows that you take pride in yourself and you take this opportunity seriously. Be well groomed.

Last but not least, relax and be honest in the interview. If you were honest in your CV, then you will be able to answer all the questions given to you. Always have a question or two prepared to ask your interviewer, this shows interest in the position and in the company.